• Replies 7 replies
  • Subscribers 83 subscribers
  • Views 2930 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Advice needed please!

Arlia

Hello everyone,

I am in need of your advice. I’m a 29 year old teacher and I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety for a number of years. I’ve been through CBT and on anti-depressants but I don’t feel like it’s made much of a difference. I feel that these conditions are stemming from the fact I might have Aspergers. I’ve always struggled with social situations and reading adults (I’m fine with understanding children), and I feel that it’s getting worse as I’m getting older. I had a massive disaster at work today all because I misread the situation and then didn’t understand why people got angry. I feel the world is an overwhelming place, every day seems to be getting more difficult. I struggle with change and I won’t drive to places I don’t know. I have to have a routine and if anything changes I get anxious/angry. 

What do you think I should do? Please can you help me because I feel that it’s getting worse and I don’t know who to turn to. 

Thank you. 

  • Hello Arlia.  Like you, I have waited a long time and been misdiagnosed with all sorts of conditions before autism was suggested.  CBT and antii-depressants never worked for me, for reasons that I now understand.  I also struggle with social situations, but am fine with children, or adults with learning disabilities.  I just feel like I'm on a different wavelength with people like that.  Normal people are incomprehensible to me.  I simply cannot understand or comprehend what drives them.

  • Hi Arlia, I'm a teacher too and self diagnosed.  I get what you mean about social situations vs being a teacher. Different scenarios! Are you female? Look into Sarah Hendrickx she has lots of good youtube talks and books. Maybe speak to your GP. Maybe read up more in AS to see if you think other things fit in your life. The NAS female training module is good.  The more I have read, the more I can see how things "fit" and able to recognise what causes problems. It's also enabled me to understand my thought patterns far more than the CBT sessions I attended. Now I can recognise when I may have miscommunication something or why I feel frustrated. It's quite enlightening when you realise mental health problems might stem from AS. For me because ice managed to understand a lot myself I'm not currently seeking a diagnosis. However if you feel you are struggling and need help then see your GP.  I know others have said before to go "prepared" with why you feel you are AS.

    Yes I do think the world is overwhelming too. It seems other people are able to cope better or just don't get bothered by the same things. 

    Bset of luck.

  • in reply to Magnolia1

    It’s good to know that I’m not alone. I had 3 weeks off in November and I was treated as if I had depression/anxiety but I genuinely feel these stem from something else. The scenario was that I sent an email regarding some feedback, my HoD department then kicked off about it and I still don’t understand why. I literally had a melt down because I didn’t know what I had done and went home with a ‘migraine’.

    It’s good that your school are supportive. Did you speak to anyone about how you felt at work? I’m not sure who to turn to. 

    Thanks

  • I am a teacher too and have experienced similar things. I had to be signed off for six months . I went back 3 days a week and it makes things much better for me. 

    My head is really good and since getting my diagnosis has been really supported. 

    I have a go to person who helps explain things to me.

    Definitely go to your g p and don't be afraid to ask for time off if you need it.

  • in reply to Misheard Lyrics

    Thank you for your response. I have completed an online test and scored 36 which indicates that I would be a strong candidate for having Aspergers. 

    Thank you for your advice, reading about other people’s stories will probably help a lot. I’ll get to see my GP too. 

    Ps I love your profile pic of Starmie. I’m a huge fan of Pokemon. 

  • in reply to Misheard Lyrics

    I think OrinocoFlo has offered some good advice. It's a good idea to talk to your GP about it. An assessment will be helpful in finding out if you have Aspergers or some other underlying issue that might be causing some of your difficulties. The waiting time for an NHS assessment is unfortunately quite long, and you can consider private assessments or self identification. I agree reading books on Aspergers have been helpful to me as well.

  • Hi, I think the best thing if you want to find out for sure is to see your GP and tell him or her what you have already said here, and ask for a referral to whatever autism screening centre there is in your county. Have you done an online test for Asperger's? (there's one on the NAS website.) If the results show that you might have it, you could take those along as well.

    Having said that, there is usually a long wait for testing on the NHS, often 2 years or more. (I'm waiting for an official assessment myself.) If you can afford it you could go for a private assessment, depending what is available in your area, or you may decide that self diagnosis is sufficient. Also, there are a lot of books available about Asperger's syndrome, including many written by adults diagnosed later in life, and I've personally found it helpful to read those, to look for similarities in my own life and for advice.

    I hope this helps. Best wishes.